Stoke City are in the driving seat in the race to sign John Souttar from Hearts, sources have explained to Football League World in recent days. 

Souttar is a man making headlines this week following his goal in Scotland's 2-0 win over Denmark on Monday evening.

However, his club form is also catching the eye, with three goals in 11 appearances for Hearts helping to propel them to third in the Scottish Premiership.

Football League World understands that it is Stoke who are in the driving seat to sign the 25-year-old in future transfer windows, despite the fact there is rival interest from the Championship.

Nottingham Forest are one club that are keen on Souttar, although the Reds aren't confident of getting the defender into the City Ground despite that admiration.

It is Stoke heading the race, with an ace up their sleeve.

Souttar's younger brother, Harry, is on the books at the bet365 Stadium and has developed into one of the Championship's outstanding centre-backs under Michael O'Neill.

He is, though, out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury whilst on international duty with Australia. That's heightened the need for Stoke to sign defensive reinforcements, bringing older brother, John, onto the radar.